About Us

You can always tell about somebody by the way they put their hands on an animal.— Betty White

The American Humane Hero Dog Awards® are an annual, nationwide competition that searches out and recognizes America’s Hero Dogs – often ordinary dogs who do extraordinary things, whether it’s saving lives on the battlefield, lending sight or hearing to a human companion, or simply providing the tail-wagging welcome a pet owner relishes at the end of a hard day. Dogs compete in seven different categories for the Hero Dog Awards: Law Enforcement/Arson Dogs, Service Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Military Dogs, Search and Rescue Dogs, Guide/Hearing Dogs, and Emerging Hero Dogs (the category for “ordinary” dogs who do extraordinary things). The Hero Dog Awards celebrate the powerful, age-old bond between dogs and people – and give recognition to courageous acts of heroism performed by our four-legged best friends.

After voting by the American public, winners in each category are flown to Hollywood with their human friends to attend the American Humane Hero Dog Awards® gala in Los Angeles. There they walk the red carpet, are recognized in video tributes, receive their Hero Dog category award statue and mingle with celebrities, both two-legged and four-legged! The 2017 American Hero Dog will then be announced to the world.

Founded in 1877, American Humane is committed to ensuring the safety, welfare and well-being of animals. Our leadership programs are first to serve in promoting and nurturing the bonds between animals and humans. You can help make a difference – visit American Humane at www.americanhumane.org today.

We would like to thank our incredible celebrity Ambassadors for their support and work towards creating a more humane world! Our Ambassadors are champions for the humane movement and they are passionate about strengthening the human-animal bond.

Our Mission

Founded in 1877, American Humane is committed to ensuring the safety, welfare and well-being of animals. Our leadership programs are first to serve in promoting and nurturing the bonds between animals and humans.